Decorating for Christmas while Renting...

...means no holes in the walls.

True, depending on how lenient your landlord is you may be able to get away with thumb tacks to hold some things up. However in this case we aren't pushing our luck. ;)

I gave away our tree, lights and many of our generic Christmas decorations before we moved. I whittled down my Christmas decor stash to fill about 3/4 of a medium sized box. I have a few glass ornaments and items I have picked up over the years that I wouldn't part with and put a majority of them up. I love decorating for Christmas - once the lights and the garlands are up, it usually reminds me of a log cabin... so cozy!

In any case, this year for decorating I made cinnamon ornaments to hang by the blinds and string up around the mantle. I made a batch that I baked in the oven and another that I let air dry over a few days time. The batch of stars I baked had one hole for threading and the batch I let air dry I put two holes in to string those together. In all I ended up with 23 stars. Our place smelled of cinnamon goodness and still does! ^-^

For those of you who are renting and might not have room for a tree or have to follow strict guidelines of "no holes in the walls" I'm sharing my decorating photos. I hope they give you ideas of your own to add a little bit of cozy to your home for the holidays!

 The only screw on the walls that came with the house was the one above the fire place. The twig wreath *had* to go there ;). 

You'll notice we don't have any lights this year, but I trust in the years to come I'll build my Christmas inventory back up and I'm in no rush. :) 

Merry Christmas friends! What is your favorite part about this Holiday season?

Studying the Stars... 5 Free Star Crochet Patterns

..it was absolutely necessary if I wanted to make them for my etsy shop again. Since we moved halfway across the country I managed to pack my patterns and am at a loss for which box they might be in. I've already exhausted my pinterest boards to see if I may have pinned said star pattern. No dice, if I did pin it, it wasn't labelled "star"☺. I had to figure out the pattern to make these stars to list in my shop - ergo, I studied the stars.☺I suppose it's okay though, it's given me another project AND pattern to share with you here. Though I need to stop this! ;) If I show you all the patterns I use you'll never buy anything from my etsy store - lol ❤ 

All stars were made using worsted weight cotton yarn and size H/8-5.00MM

*****

Small Star: 

Average Measurement: 1 1/2 inches wide

Row 1: Chain 5,  Slst into first Chain.
Row 2: Sc 10 into middle of the circle you just made (10) Slst into the first Sc of the row.
Row 3: Sc 2 in next st, hdc ch2 hdc all in the next st, Sc 2 in next st, hdc ch2 hdc all in the next st, Sc 2 in next st, hdc ch2 hdc all in the next st, Sc 2 in next st, hdc ch2 hdc all in the next st, Sc 2 in next st, hdc ch2 hdc all in the next st, slst into 1st Sc and weave in ends.

*****

Small/Medium Star: 

Average Measurement: 1 3/4 inches wide

Row 1: Chain 5,  Slst into first Chain.
Row 2: Sc 10 into middle of the circle you just made (10) Slst into the first Sc of the row.
Row 3: Sc 2 in next st, dc ch2 dc all in the next st, Sc 2 in next st, dc ch2 dc all in the next st, Sc 2 in next st, dc ch2 dc all in the next st, Sc 2 in next st, dc ch2 dc all in the next st, Sc 2 in next st, dc ch2 dc all in the next st, slst into 1st Sc and weave in ends.

*****

Medium Star: 

This is the one I use.

Average Measurement: 2 inches wide

Row 1: Chain 5,  Slst into first Chain.
Row 2: Sc 10 into middle of the circle you just made (10) Slst into the first Sc of the row.
Row 3: Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, slst into 1st Hdc and weave in ends.

***** 

Medium/Large Star: 

Average Measurement: 2 1/4 inches wide

Row 1: Chain 5,  Slst into first Chain. 
Row 2: Sc 10 into middle of the circle you just made (10) Slst into the first Sc of the row.
Row 3: Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch3 tr all in the next st, Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch3 tr all in the next st, Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch3 tr all in the next st, Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch3 tr all in the next st, Hdc 2 in next st, tr ch3 tr all in the next st, slst into 1st Hdc and weave in ends.

*****

Large Star: 

Average Measurement: 2 1/2 inches wide

Row 1: Chain 5,  Slst into first Chain.
Row 2: Sc 10 into middle of the circle you just made (10) Slst into the first Sc of the row.
Row 3: Dc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, Dc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, Dc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, Dc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, Dc 2 in next st, tr ch2 tr all in the next st, slst into 1st Dc and weave in ends.

*****

There are lots of things you can make with these stars! 
Use them as ornaments to decorate your tree! 
Or, crochet them together and make them into a garland!
They would look lovely adorning gifts under your tree 
or attached to a gift basket as well!
Enjoy!

Christmas Carols by Year Composed... Not an exhaustive list ;)

Did you know? Have you heard? Christmas carols, haven't really been around all that long if you think about it. Per the New York Times, they shared the following list with dates for some of what seem like songs that have always been around:

1818 - Silent Night

1824 - O Tannenbaum

1857 - Jingle Bells

1866 - Deck the Hall

1934 - Winter Wonderland

1940 - White Christmas

1941 - The Little Drummer Boy

1944 - Baby, Its Cold Outside

1945 - Let it Snow

1949 - Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

1950 - Frosty the Snowman

1962 - Do You Hear What I Hear?

Silent Night will have it's 200 year old birthday in 2018 - but in the grand scheme of time... these aren't really that old. Honestly, this reminder me keep things in perspective.

Oh Holy Night is my favorite Christmas carol, then Silent Night :). So I did some digging since O Holy Night was not on this list (as well as a few others ;)). Did you know Oh Holy Night was originally written for the harp? This just deepens my appreciation for the song. Oh Holy Night was composed 1847.

I realize this isn't an exhaustive chronological list of Christmas Carol's, still, the list I had I wanted to share with you! :) Want to read more about Christmas Carol History? 

Wikipedia for the win right here!

Something else I learned this year was that Jesus's Birthday (Christmas) was set as December 25th not necessarily because that's when Christ was born. You might have already guessed that. ;) The date was set in the middle of pagan celebrations to help invite pagan's to celebrate God. As time has gone on, Christians  have adapted the celebrations to equate to Christmas. This is where we've gotten the Christmas Trees and the wreaths from... and here I had thought that the tree was just to hold the star at the top to remind us of the North Star the three wisemen followed and the the presents under the tree were to remind us of the wisemens gifts... and that Jesus is the gift God gave us. Symbolism. Of course. I have a lot to learn :) But, thankfully as time goes on these things come to light! If you want to read more about how Christmas' date was set - this website breaks it down rather well. Enjoy the read! :)

So...what is your favorite Christmas Carol? Hmm? :) 

Merry Christmas to each and every one! Love, Dawn

I Believe...

...that Christmas is pretty symbolic. Maybe some things weren't originally meant to be but I made them that way in my own mind ;). The tree and decorations - part of the celebration, like anyone would do for a party right? :) Party for Baby Jesus' birthday! ^-^ The star or angel at the top of the tree reminds me of the star the three wise men saw that guided them to baby Jesus or the angels that sang and rejoiced the night he was born. The presents we get to give to each other are wrapped and we get to wait in anticipation to open them ...like all of the old testament - throughout the pages it shows Jesus was on his way... what an awesome present He is ^-^. So while St. Nicholas is another story as well having brought gifts to people, which is another cool story :) the symbolism I see in the shirt I wore is more that I believe in the "magic" of Christmas and the possibilities... that anyone who truly wants the way, the truth and the life can have it, in abundance through Christ. Its a pretty awesome story - why not be excited for Christmas!? :)

I added a few embellishments to the t-shirt for the Christmas Holiday party at work. Of course this was brought on by a co-worker who said we should don tacky Christmas shirts :) though I think I may have failed because most people just said the shirt was cute lol :)

It was a good time - my coworkers get up reminded me of a girl in the 1960's who would be ice skating. Super cute :) And while I wore my santa hat I did not come home with it - because I SOLD it :). (yay!) :)

Alright - I hope you enjoy the pictures! :) We had a lot of fun with them :)

In a Winter Wonderland

Lovely Laura and Myself :) 

We be dancin' ! :)

And the tacky shirt itself :) 

I added a pompom to the top of his hat and pieces of felt and yarn to the shirt :) 

Christmas time prayer...

The tree is up! The stockings are hung with care. The kitchen window and other areas have been sprinkled with dashes of Christmas items... as I sit here typing by the light of the tree I remember Christmas growing up. I thought our house all decorated and Christmasfied in the living areas would give someone an idea of what a gingerbread house would look like if you could live in it! :)

 I LOVE to decorate, create and imagine, so Christmas has a special place in my heart, 2nd place on Christmas anyways. ;)  Christ being born a babe and endure all he did remaining blameless and sinless to be an offering for us all is the most beautiful love story to me. I love what Christ did and what he has done for my family through the years, though times have gotten tough (and they do! ;)) He's always brought us through and will ever be, faithful. The twinkling lights are fun and I'm thankful for the income He's given my family so I can buy gifts that put smiles on peoples faces when opened, but I realize its because of Him that I've been blessed with so much. That I'm in a position to give...depending on the season He's allowed me to give of myself to others, my time, my talents, my money, etc. may Christ be glorified in me and that others would experience Christ for the first time this Christmas season.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas! Thank you for reading my blog and following along in my creations. I appreciate and pray for you! Be blessed! ~Dawn

Have I told you lately...

...that I love my customers? ;)

I recently sold a holiday garland - one of my favorites I should add - with the Victorian (discontinued) red heart yarn.  I also have a tree skirt made from this yarn that I pull out every year to dress up underneath a tree around the house :). I love Christmas time. Its such a magical time. :) *swoons*

Sorry, Christmas is shiny so I got distracted lol ;) back to my awesome customers - Stefanie was gracious enough to share her photos of this adorable little gent with me to show how she used the garland. You will see the garland has a cameo in each photo behind this lil guys adorable hat (or smile :)) Photography by Stefanie Politi as you'll notice in the photos - please take a look at her other photos on fickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/njmommyof3boys/ . The kids are so cute and Stefanie knows what she is doing with the lighting ;) :).

Thank you again Stefanie for the photos - allowing me to show the world how awesome my customers are :). You's the best! ^-^ ...and I love the photos! :) They all make me smile! :)

Santa is coming... He is coming!

Said Buddy the Elf! ;) with a wonderful hop, skip and a jump! :) I really like that movie - so playful, light hearted and endearing :). I thought of that line while I took pictures of all these tiny hats! :)

I received and order for 9 Santa hats and then received several orders for individual hats soon after. So last week after work I spent much of my time on my couch with hook and thread in hand shelling out these lovelies :).

Here are a few pictures of the finished hats, some while in progress and a few elf hat photos as well as I received a few orders for those in the same weekend (business is good! ^-^) :)

So as I rallied the hats together as if they each have a personality of their own - I laughed quietly to myself imagining little Buddy Elves coming together and scrambling to help Santa before he leaves the North Pole for his awesome once a year trip. What can I say, my childhood was good to me lol - I look back on the wonder and the possibility of there being a Santa when I was younger, a guy I knew, leaving me gifts for no other reason except that I bothered to ask and tried to be a "good girl" that year... ah nostalgia ;)

I hope you enjoy the pictures! :)

The photo second from the bottom reminds me of when Buddy Elf talked about passing through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest... :) lol great movie, as always thanks for reading :) 

Discontinued Yarn Bites...

What's the big idea? Or rather whose idea was it to discontinue the TLC Amore Red Heart yarn I ask you? WHO O.O I. Want. Names. True, its my fault assuming that a yarn that I use would neva eva eva go out of stock or style or what have you - but c'mon people... you do a an online search for a yarn, it shows up in a store ... I was robbed I tell ya! 3 Michael's, 2 JoAnne Fabric's and an AC Moore later I have options to use, but not thee yarn I need. Have I tried Ebay you might ask? Um, yes, yes I have. 1 skein for nearly $7.00 adding insult to injury that yes, yes this is a discontinued yarn... NOTED... albeit far too late to realize. :p

Gah! I lament no more! Here are the new options for the santa hat red... the middle yarn is the last bit of red the hat was made out of for comparison... care to weigh in on which you like better? The yarn on the far left or right?

Santa's Got a Brand New Hat!

It's true... I mean why wouldn't he trade in the solid brimmed hat for this whimsical number? I suppose the snowy winds moving at the speed of light and all that might be why he needs the solid brim... but he's Santa... he could magically keep it on and even keep the jingle from janglin' - amiright? ;)

Well wear or wear not here it is! :) I'm quite pleased with how this turned out, (not that I doubted ;)) but it just goes to show the pattern is versatile and I love that :)... oh and this hat is now available in the shop too! :)

Happy day everyone! Thank you for reading!

Christmas in July

I'm not very good at keeping up with the trends I'll admit. This was the first year I was shop ready for Valentines day in January, so I'm making progress ;). July is more than half over and I've gotten hook to thread this weekend to put together an Elf fascinator hat. I'm working on brushing up the pattern as well to be available (soon! soon! :)). But while its still July - lets take part in Christmas (in July ;)) with these pics of the Elf fascinator hat :)

***P.S. I'm working on another one right now :) that will be made of red and green but different yarns :)***

A few hours later.... 

Hey guys! :) I finished the second hat and made it with bright vintage red and green yarn given to me by my grandma - brings back memories of working on crafty projects with her! Good times! Did I tell you her and I also planted a garden together one year? Love that woman, I'll save gardening stories for later ;). Without further ado - here is the 2nd elf hat. The pattern will be available sometime this week... tomorrow maybe :). 

**Thanks for reading! :) **

Fallout 3 Bobblehead Revisited

Back in 2009 I was asked to make an amigurumi of the Fallout 3 Bobblehead after finishing the bobblehead I showed my husband and he immediately wanted one :) I've had several other projects come up since December 2009 but I hadn't forgotten his request... while I was hoping to his bobblehead done by his birthday in July, July came and went without me starting a stitch on it...

December came and I was determined to have it done for him by Christmas. Between custom orders for the etsy shop I worked on the bobblehead and knew that though he really liked the original work, that I could be more detailed. And I would be more detailed...

I used oval safety eyes instead of circular ones I had on the previous bobblehead and gave great care to the shape of his hair and hands. I was able to bring this guy to life in time for Christmas :) (yay!) and recently snagged the bobble from his desk long enough to take a few pics to share with you! :) I hope you like him!! :)

Cinnamon Star Ornaments are done! :)

It's true! :) I let them cool and then adorned them each with a small jingle bell for added charm :)

Here they are!! :)

White Crocheted Snowflakes...OOOoooh... Dreamy!

I love me some snowflakes! I love how when they fall, being as white as they are, they cast a contrast against the sky... its all so scenic to me!

Oh and the days where it would snow from morning to night growing up... the sky would be a shade of gray... so pretty..☺

Yes, I love me some snowflakes, some winter wonder land and decorating the inside of your home as if you lived in a ginger bread house! I'll take two please ;).

In an effort to let other people decorate their trees and other trimmings in a winterwonderland fashion, keeping in mind the snowfilled winter skies I thought these pictures were fitting to list a few crocheted snowflakes:

I hope they get you in the winter wonderland mood too!